§ Mr. J. HENDERSONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that under the National Health Insurance Act a panel doctor has to certify an individual as fit for work as soon as he is no longer totally incapacitated, whilst some employers, such as railway companies, refuse to allow an individual to resume employment until he is fully restored to health, with the result that he is deprived both of wages and national health insurance benefit; and whether, therefore, he will consider the desirability of amending the Health Insurance Acts to provide benefit to an insured person until he is fit to resume his normal employment?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREInsurance medical practitioners and approved societies have been advised that an insured person should be regarded as incapable of work within the meaning of the National Health Insurance Acts if he is unfit to follow his ordinary occupation but it appears probable that he will 1007W soon be fit to do so. Cases of the kind referred to by the hon. Member should not, therefore, arise.